Magazine name and logo design

Over the weekend I have been working on the name and logo of my magazine, I have been unable to submit my work on the date I completed it over the weekend due to connection problems.

Name of the Magazine

I first decided to come up with names for my magazine, below is a a scan of some names I wrote down on a A4 piece of paper, I apologise for the scan quality. When I was coming up with names at first wanted to merge "Rock words" with Animals, such as Heavy Horse, Metal Snake, Rock dog etc. Not only did these sound silly but I went off the idea. I eventually started to think of names that have an english theme such as UK Rockz and Yorkshire Hammer. These did not really work for me, as well as I wanted my magazine not to look like and England exclusive magazine. I friend gave me an idea for a name called "Flat Line" and I liked the idea, it sounded like something you would expect from a Rock/Metal magazine and with the right logo it would look great so I came up with the idea.

Logo Design

With my magazine name ready I could now focus on making a logo. I first looked on "Macromedia Fireworks" for some font styless and below are some example fonts I liked.

After looking at these fonts I decided to use the 1st, 3rd and 5th one for a logo. But only one would be used so I started to sketch some ideas down for my magazines logo. Below is what I came up with, I am apologise for the scan quality.

Once I completed these logo designs I knew I would only need to use one, out of all 3 sketches I made i decided to sue the 3rd logo. This had the 5th font and was my favourite ebcause I had a crumble effect and a heart beat monitor in front of ti which relates to "Flat Line", I also thought I could add some effects eventually when I make the finak version.

I have now fully completed my logo and the results are below.

I believe this looks like what I planned and worked very well since I added effects, the quality of the JPEG file does really mess up the look buyt I do believe that it looks very well.

Price and Release of my Magazine

For my Rock/Metal magazine I must now come up with a price for the magazine. After identifying the other magazines I have used in my market research I have found that most of these magazines estimate upto £3-£5 and possibly higher.

My magazine will feature around 80-90 pages of content and more pages for future issues, so by the number of pages and my content I have decided to my magazine price will be...

£3.99

I find this is a reasonabler price to ask for the customers especially with the content I am going to introduce, the magazine should sell at this fair price.

Most of the magazines I have researched appear to be released one every month, I find this is a good way to publish the magazine because there can be more content every month. So I will release my magazine Monthly.

My target audience for this magazine is Rock/Metal fans and the age group will be 16-21. The reason for this is because since my magazine is going to me aimed for this age group it will be  mostly students who purchase this. The magazine is a monthly thing and although £3.99 may seem expensive for a magazine but its a monthly thing that will include a lot of content of the target audience so it will be worth while.

Market Reasearch Part 3: Q Magazine

For my third and final market research I have found Q magazine which specialises in a Indie/Rock genre of music, below is my work.

Front Cover

These are both the front covers of Q magazine, each cover appears on both the front and back of the magazine that is not really seen much today.

L: The language of the magzine uses comes from the hadlines of each individual cover of the magazine, both Muse and U2 are big rock bands and have done many things in the music industry and I geuss that there both very big they both gave them a front cover because there that good. Each front cover has a effect background but the only difference is that th Muse cover has a sort of blue glow while the U2 cover has a red glow. Each cover has different headlines on both sides showing that the magazine has a lot to offer which appeals to Indie/Rock and Pop fans. The U2 cover use white text with a smart font as well as a red box behind them so it is easier to read, uses same font style and colour but they have blue boxes behind them.

I: The magazine has its own publisher and that them self.

I: Each cover both bands have different poses and style of clothing but they both appear in the middle of the page as well as one of the band members infront of the Q magazine logo. Both bands seem to wear clean common clothing which reflects the Indie image. Another different between the bands that si they both have a different clothes look, Muse seem to be wearing smart casual suits, shirts, pants and shoes, while U2 have more of a Rock look wiith there T shirts or long sleave tartered shirts, jeans, letaher jackets and black shows they seem to have more of a rock look. These differences of the front cover between the two bands could be a possible hidden message that they "Have the best of both worlds", one being Indie and the other being Rock.

A: The target audience of this magazine appears to be Indie and a new Rock generation, this is notified because of the bands they use as well as the headlines involving other bands. I would suggest the target age for this magazine would be 16-21 and maybe even possibly a younger age depending on the content of the magazine.

R: Q uses its own unique house style which is clean and straight to the point, none of these artists that are featured on the front covers appear to be tacky or sweaty they appear to be clean and are true stars, the layouts and font are also clean because nothing appears to be dark or in the way of each other (Exceot that each cover has a band member infront of the Q logo, this was on purpose).

Contents page



This is a double page content spread in Q magazine.

L: The language pretty much suggests again that the magazine is a Indie/Rock magazine because of the use of bands they use in there contents page, the main headline's are from both front covers of Q magazine which are Muse and U2, they appear to be the meain headline because there the first image we notice on the left hand side because its big and noticable. the layout of the magaine is pretty smart as usual because everything seems to be in order as well as some images ove rlapping others, this is purposely done. The font and style is similar to the cover, it has the same font bu the colour is now red and the background is white so it is easier to read.

I: The magazine has its own publisher and that them self.

I: The contents band can easily be identified with the Indie Music Genre and each picture is nicely layed out letting the reader to easily read each headline.

A: As I said before it is targeted for the Indie and new age Rock audience and the target audience would be 16-21 and possibly younger.

R: The magazine uses a smart layout threwout each part of the magazine giving it a clean straight to te point look, which is good and will be a crucial selling point for the magazine.

Double Page Spread

This is the double page spread for Q Magazine.

L: The language we can see from this double page layout is that is clean and straight to the point as I stated in my previous research of this magazine, tis very clean and uses its font, colours and layout very well, such as the similar font but black text, white background so it is can be easier to read the interviews and images placed in appropriate places so the layout is very well done. One the first page (Left hand side) it uses a image that was drawn for the magazine which looks very smart and a indie like look.

I: The magazine has its own publisher and that them self.

I: The magazine can be identified as a Indie/Rock magazine by the interview with the band, but the own house style and smart layout works very well for the magazine.

A: As I said before the magazine is aimed for Indie and new age Rock fans and the age group woulkd be 16-21 and possibly younger.

R: The magazine uses its own house style and works rather well, the font, layout, images look great on the double page spread and explains the interview rather well.

Market Research part 2: Metal Hammer

I have found another Rock/Metal magazine I can use LIIAR to analyse the cover, content page's and couble page spread, below is the result of my work.

Front Cover

This is the front cover for Metal Hammer Magzine.

L: For this isssue fo metal Hammer they use a A4 portrait sized photo of a popular Metal band "Avenged Sevonfold" which instantly declares the genre of the magazine, the dark colours also indicate the genre of tyhe magazine and the only most known light colours this front cover uses is the white titles for the band and the logo of the magazine. The logo's of the band and magazine have there own house style, Avenged Sevonfold use the logo they made for there album covers, posters, advertisements etc, the Metal Hammer logo uses a sharp style font which appears to be grafitied on to the magazine making it the metal, rebelous look.

I: The magazine uses its own Publisher and it is itself.

I: The magazine's main genre is Metal and by the looks of the magazine front cover we know what genre it is because of the band members appear to be heavy metal stars, with there tattoo's, black clothing, the leather biker like jackets which all are seen as a "Metal/Rebellious" look.

A: The magazine is target for those who love Rock and Metal music, its mainly for Metal readers as well as various forms of Metal like Alternative, Thrash, Heavy, Screamo etc. The age audience I would suggest would be 18 onwards because it looks like one of those magazine that will mention swear words, sexual content and more adult like content.

R: The magazine would most probaly sell because of the front cover's headline story which is Avenged Sevonfolds first interview after a bedloved member unfortunatly passed, Metal fans that are fans of the band may have not heard of the band since the death of the member and the magazine states "The first time they open up since the death of Jimmy Sullivan", and this would get the readers to purchase the magazine because they want to know more about the bands situation.

Contents Page

This is the contents page for the Metal Hammer magzine.

L: It appears this page has 2 sides which some headlines appear to be on the left hand side of the page and picture headlines are on the Right as well as the bottom. The content on the left hand side seems to have a "Gothic" like feel to it because of the use of font, colour and background. The font appears to be a gothic like font (Do not know the name of), the colours used are red and black which seem to be a dark, sinister, death like colour, the background appears to be a old book which si used to explain the content. The right hand side of the contents page appears to have picture with numbers directing the reader to the page featuring the headlines of the magazine, one again it uses the gothic like font and red and white text which again can be associated with the Metal Music culture, it appears to have a black background so readers can read the white text easily, again this colour is relatied to the metal culture. The page also has pictures of metal bands to show whats included in the magazine.

I: The magazine uses its own Publisher and it is itself.

I: A look inside the magzine and once the reader notices the cotnents page and look at the house style, pictures and content they would easily identify the music genre of the magazine but some may see it as a darker sort of metal genre or gothic genre.

A: The contents page can easily be identified for the Metal fans, and this is ebcause of the use of colours, content and pictures. This works very well and is very good how the desigins layed out this magazine and gaved it its own house style.

R: As much as the magazines layout is pretty much perfect the main selling point would have to be the content inside the magazine, this is a very important point of any metal magazine and the content must have something very interesting to getr eaders to buy it, I believe this magazine does it very well because of the bands that are being interviewed in this magazine.

Double Page Spread

This is the double page spread for Metal Hammer Magazine.

L: The double page spread is the headline of the front vover of this magazine and it is the "Avenged Sevonfold" Interview. The language people can identift from this magazine can easily be seen that this is a Metal magazine, the sue of the gothic and italic black font represents the metal culture very well, the background on the second oage appears to be a old book page which again uses the representation very well, the use of the bands logo is used again. On the left hand side of the page (The first image) is an image of one of the band member in standing on a drum part (in memory of the deceased band member), and in the background it appears to eb a dark city, the clothes he wear such as the black clothing, leather jacket and black shades represent the metal culture as well as whats behind him.

I: The magazine uses its own Publisher and it is itself.

I: Like many other pages in this magazine once looked at people will notice that it can be identified as a metal magazine, it has a dark feel to it which is what most metal fans like, as well as the interview with the popular band "Avenged Sevonfold" which will interest readers more.

A: The audience can be easily identifed once again with this page indicating this is a Metal music lovers magazine.

R: The use of colour, fonts, and layout really do say a lot about this magazine because it can be easily identified that what the magazine is and who it si aimed for, the magazine's layout is a very smart way on how this magazine reflects its genre and will be a very good selling point.

Market Research part 1: Kerrang

For my first market Research I decideed to look at a Kerrang magazine.

Front Cover

This is the front cover of the Kerrang Magazine.

L: Kerrang uses a white background but overlapping it includes a lot of images with text describing the contents of the magazine. They also use big bold lettering to describe whats ibside the magazine as well as there well known logo.

I: The magazine has its own publisher which is Kerrang.

I: The magazine is easily identified as a Rock magazine because of the contents as well as the font style of the text, some of the big bold letters identifty the magazine as well.

A: The target audience is easily identifed as a Rock style magazine so obvously the magazine is targeted to Rock music lovers, the target age I would identift as a 16 and above age group.

R: This magazine will sell because of the contents, it has most the main headlines appeard on the magazine which would get people interested in buying it, as well as text on the top and bottom of the bage with other content inside.

Contents Page

This is the contents page of the Kerrang magazine.

L: The language indicates that it is a Rock magazine because the contents page show the reader that the contents includes content from famous artists, as well as the use of there logo font being used for headlines and sub texts.

I: the publisher is it self.

I: With the use of fonts, colours and pictures it is identifed as a Rock magzine, such as the black backgrounds behind the ehadlines and the logo's font appears to be ruggard and striking, it is suppose to represent Rock.

A: the target audience could easily identify with the contents of this magazine, such as the headline which features "Slash" who is one of the most famous Guitarist's in the world, rock lovers could easily identify this and would be interested in reading it.

R: The magazine has contents on which you would expect from any type of music magazine such as interviews, previews etc. But because of its genre it sticks to news related to the Rock music industry.

Double Page Spread

(I apologise for the scanning quality)

This is the double pahe spread out for Karrang Magzine.

L: The magazine used small white neatly fonted text to descrive to the reader what the contents is abaout, as well as big read bold text that gives the title to the page. They use black and white images in the background which is a sort of rock style and does not interfeer with the white text, and the sue of red coloured text for the titles.

I: The publisher is it self.

I: The colours used in this double page layout really reflects the Rock Music industry, black, white andf red are good striking colours that are not just plain and simple but have the representatuion of strong, bold powerful words which is what Rock is mostly about, "Power to the peopleby there awesome music".

A: The target audience could easily identify the Rock cultire in the magazine with the colours which really is the selling point of this magazine, but the interview with the band is also which is very important and will make or break the magazine, the interviews layout is simply and keeps the text to a side neatly in order and images of the band at the bottom of the page, as well as a cool black and white photo of the band as the poages background.

R: The magazine double page spreadout is really one of a kind, it most probaly is used by other Rock/Metal magazines but this one is special because of the colours which indicate the magazines genre of Rock music.

Choice of Music

I have decided to do a magzine based around the Rock and Metal genre, I have explained this in a previous post on why I have chosen it but I shall repeat myself and say why I have chosen it, I have chosen it because I know more about those certain types of genre's and there is no real serious Rock/Metal magazines around (Apart from Kerrang, Metal Hammer etc) that have alot of information about some of the big band names, most Rock magazines intend of doing music about the new pop rock music sensation as well as emo and pop punk, my magzine will be different and try to include as much possible stories as I can anout true Rock/Metal music from bands like...

• Iron Maiden
• Aveneged Sevonfold
• Metallica
• System of a Down
• KoRn
• Def Leppord
• Guns N Roses
• AC/DC
• Distubed
• Papa Roach
• Machine Head

I will try include as many of these bands but I am mainly going to identift some of the big names that will attract Rock/Metal listeners.

LIIAR Interpretation of the Biref

Front Page

L: It needs to include a logo, background, some puictures and text explaining what contents is inside this magazine. I will also need Barcode and a price.'

I: The magazine has no publisher yet and I am not sure if I need one.

I: The target audience is going to be rock/metal lovers and the age group I am targetting is ages 16-21

A: The target audience will be Rock/Metal fans and the age audience will be 16-21

R: I will make sure to include as much contents as I can that appeals to the audience and gets them thinking that they need this magazine.

Contents Page

L: It will include a smaller logo as well as a plain white background, a list on the left hand side displaying the contents of the magazine as well as some picture of higher topics.

I: No priblusher

I: The target audience is going to be rock/metal lovers and the age group I am targetting is ages 16-21

A: The target audience will be Rock/Metal fans and the age audience will be 16-21

R: It will display basic Rock/Metal contents that will appeal to the reader.

Double Page Spread

L: It will include the highlight of my magazines main topic including pictures, variety of text and stuff

I: No publisher

I: The target audience is going to be rock/metal lovers and the age group I am targetting is ages 16-21

A: The target audience will be Rock/Metal fans and the age audience will be 16-21

R: It will look smart and clean and not to complicated to read.

Music Magazine Brief

For my music magazine genre I have decided to use a Rock/Matel genre because not only is it my favourite type of music, I know more about this genre then any other music genre. My magazine will be aimed at Rock and Metal fans obviously, but my age group will be 18-24 because it seems a more appropriate age to aim towards because this will be a monthly magazine that will include upto 80 pages and a reasonable price, and the content will be very exclusive interviews and features.